Apple to make iTunes more accessible for the blind

Apple recently made a statement about their new iTunes software for the blind. More announcements are to be made in the near future, but the details are in the making. I think that this is a wonderful advancement for Apple. Giving the blind the chance to easily access music in a very similar means than average people is very promotional to their other products. Basically with this new software Apple is making a statement that literally everyone can use their products. I'm not sure exactly how this software will work, but it appears that the functions will have sound effects and directional voices to help maneuver the program.

I think Apple really started something with these advancements. As of now there are very few computer programs that are easily accessible for the visually disabled. Judging on the success of this product after its releasment, I think that many other software companies will begin other products of similar function.

http://www.wivb.com/Global.story.asp?S=9079164

Internet group sues Bush for electronic eavesdropping

Internet privacy is a huge problem these days. It seems to me that some of these website know way too much about me than they should. With the use of cookies, many websites I visit already know my name, address, phone number, etc. With such a scandal like this, I think it really installs a sense of reality to us: the Internet is very public, and rules are constantly broken regarding privacy rights. In my opinion, the government should take no part in Internet surveillance unless it is a matter of law. In other words, I think they should have a very justified reason to search someone's Internet accessibility, almost like a search warrant for the Internet. If the government is given rights to our Internet browsing, who knows what else they will claim rights to. The types of computer programs that Bush and his administration use should be limited in use to only a few individuals who use it for investigation of criminals, and nothing else. Such a program could be used to keep us safe, not to invade our privacy.

With so many cookies and creepy people in the world, I limit my information to a very low limit, and only subscribe my information to a few sights which I know are secure.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080918.tc_afp/usittelecomsjusticeespionagepolitics_0809

The New Facebook...Like It Or Not

As most of the people in this class probably know (sadly) there is about to be a new Facebook that will come into play by the end of this week. The founder, Mark Zuckerberg, has been battling the changes in Facebook for 4 1/2 years. Every time he decided to make alterations to anything on the website, total uproar occurs and he is forced to send out apology notes to the millions of users across the nation. Facebook has changed dramatically since it started, and most of the changes have been frowned upon at first, but eventually people transition into loving them. Starting next week, however, very dramatic layout changes will be made. Only this time, there will be no apologies made. Facebook announced these upcoming changes back in May, hoping to prepare people for the future. He fears that this will be of little help when everything is adjusted to the new Facebook.

Being a Facebook user myself, I do agree with most of the users in saying that the changes are somewhat annoying at first. Some of this things on Facebook I do not like at all, but am always allowed to block or remove from my personal profile. Some changes, however, I do find very helpful and interesting. I simply use the site for social networking and communication, but some use it as a way to meet people in their area. There have been many great tools for this specific purpose. As long as the privacy levels and safety settings do not change, then I will remain an honorable Facebook user. I think Zuckerberg is completely justified in his desire to improve his work as much as possible.

http://www.detnews.com/apps.pbcs.dll/article?AID=20080911/NATION/80911049

Google Reigns as World’s Most Powerful 10-Year-Old

As I’ve been learning more and more about various search engines and Internet pages, I decided to take a look and research the world’s most popular search engine, Google. I read an article including a brief history of Google and how it slowly worked its way up in the world. It started with two men, Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded Google with only four computers and a $100,000 investment loan. Ten years later, it is now a $150 billion company with nearly 20,000 employees and has earned itself the title of being the most prosperous search engine that changed the world.

            With its outstanding popularity and wealth, there have of course created some problems. With the overflow of use and expansion, Google has naturally run into some trafficking issues and regulatory watch. Google keeps “pushing the envelope” as far as regulations, publicity, and availability. Google is now accessible in an easy search box at the top of every Internet browser possible and is the primary search tool on every cell phone and wireless device. Little do we realize it but Google really is taking over the world, or the Internet world. With Page’ and Brin’s very hard work, they are now worth $19 billion a piece.

            Google really has made all of our lives a great deal easier. With one click of a mouse we have every bit of information we could ever hope for. YouTube, Gmail, GoogleEarth, and many others have given us the world at our fingertips. Other companies, like Yahoo and AskJeeves, have fallen off the radar as far as opportunity. There simply is no competition with Google. so why should we try to hinder its capabilities? In my opinion, Google is going to take us places we never thought possible. The sky is the limit!